Chess Puzzle #QQXTq — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2595 · Master · crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long.

Position

White: king f2; queen f6; rook h3; bishop c3; pawns a2/c4/f4/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen h7; rook e8; knight h4; pawns a7/b6/c6/f7/g5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: fxg5 — pawn f4→g5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qc2+ — queen h7→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king f2→g3).
  3. Best move: Nf5+ — knight h4→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen f6→f5, captures knight).
  4. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen c2→c3, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p4p1q/1pp2Q2/6p1/2P2PPn/2B4R/P4K1P/8 w - - 2 46

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.